New Elm Fork Soccer Complex in Dallas (news to me)

Did anyone see the article in the Dallas Morning news about the new Elm Fork Soccer Complex in Dallas (to be run by FCD) ???  

ARTICLE (w/ Photo):  ARTICLE

MASTER PLAN (w/ video):  City Master Plan

FC Dallas is city’s choice to manage Elm Fork soccer complex

From DMN:
By ROBERT WILONSKY
More than a year after the city of Dallas began looking for someone to operate the Elm Fork Athletic Complex, a winner has been declared: FC Dallas.
Under terms of a deal being hammered out, a management group associated with the Major League Soccer club would take control of the complex on Jan. 1 and have it open by next spring, in time for the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup, an annual international youth soccer tournament.

On Thursday, the Dallas Park Board is to discuss a contract that would give FCD Management LLC control of the 138-acre, $31.4 million expanse of soccer fields, built atop an old landfill near Walnut Hill Lane and the Stemmons Freeway. Under the deal, the city would pay the management group $818,008 annually for the next five years, with two five-year options.

According to records filed with the Texas secretary of state, FCD Management was established in June by Alan W. Tompkins, general counsel of Hunt Sports Group, which owns FC Dallas.

Willis Winters, head of the city’s Park and Recreation Department, said the entity was created to manage the complex.  “This is the conclusion of an exhaustive search,” Winters said. He added that FC Dallas won the bid easily.
“I think we’ve found the very best operator that we possibly could engage to manage and operate this complex for us and meet our goals of having the highest-quality tournament facility in Dallas,” he said.  “There’s so much FC Dallas can bring to this complex.”

Under the proposed agreement, the city and FC Dallas would divide income generated by the sports complex, with the city getting about 75 percent after expenses. The city would return profit generated from the complex into further improvements.

The Elm Fork complex stands to make “substantially more money” with FC Dallas at the helm, Winters said.  “Most of that has to do with their expertise and their standing in the world of top soccer tournaments,” according to Winters.
FC Dallas declined to comment on the deal, pending final action by the City Council, which could come in September.

The complex’s opening has been delayed for years. In 2010, the City Council was told to expect a February 2012 opening. Last January, the promise was that it would open in September of this year. But another withering summer has been hard on the grass. Winters said additional time is needed to get the fields “in perfect condition” in time for the Dallas Cup in mid-April.

Did not see the article. However, use google maps and put in Walnut Hill and I35 and look just to the west. Ten soccer fields with lights up. No grass or parking yet.

And here are more links with additional details (maps/plans/photos):

Dallas Park & REC PPT Deck on Facility

Trinity River Project Site

Here is a link to a discussion thread about this on the boys forum..

http://www.txsoccer.info/t9229-elm-fork-soccer-complex

Slakemoth wrote:Here is a link to a discussion thread about this on the boys forum..

http://www.txsoccer.info/t9229-elm-fork-soccer-complex

They did bring up what I was wondering... What about the area it is in? As much as we joke about Moss with the liquor store & poor parking, this has the potential to be as much fun with the roads, "gentlemen's" clubs, homeless, etc.

At least there is the horrible par 3 golf course and driving range next door.

Isn't there a rifle shooting range located at the Elm Fork site?

Im sure the google maps satellite isn't up to date, but I am having an issue seeing this sat view and the video and figuring out how they are going to eventually match up.

Speaking of the area, it may just be my naïve Plano upbringing, but I always considered that area just West of Stemmons and North of Loop 12 to be where the dead bodies are dumped.


View Larger Map

Yes...a bunch of dead bodies in the area. I am pretty certain that is where the poster Coach R ended up a couple of years ago.....

Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "turfmonster", huh?


I can see it now... Hassan, acting like Miss Sue in the Blind Side, telling some kid "you know, there's bodies buried under those FC Dallas fields that have been known to reach up and grab players... but if you really want to go there, FC Dallas has a great program..."

ignore this.... reposted info already up here

What about the area it is in? As much as we joke about Moss with the liquor store & poor parking, this has the potential to be as much fun with the roads, "gentlemen's" clubs, homeless, etc.


it is what it is, typical of dallas, old landfill, homeless, vagrants,strip clubs etc.

silentparent wrote:What about the area it is in? As much as we joke about Moss with the liquor store & poor parking, this has the potential to be as much fun with the roads, "gentlemen's" clubs, homeless, etc.


it is what it is, typical of dallas, old landfill, homeless, vagrants,strip clubs etc.

Don't forget about the liquor stores at the corner of Walnut Hill and Stemmons....first opportunity for liquor as you are headed southbound on Stemmons...attracts a stellar clientele....

soccer punk wrote:

silentparent wrote:What about the area it is in? As much as we joke about Moss with the liquor store & poor parking, this has the potential to be as much fun with the roads, "gentlemen's" clubs, homeless, etc.


it is what it is, typical of dallas, old landfill, homeless, vagrants,strip clubs etc.

Don't forget about the liquor stores at the corner of Walnut Hill and Stemmons....first opportunity for liquor as you are headed southbound on Stemmons...attracts a stellar clientele....

yep, can't wait to be putting kids in the car and be asked for 5 dollars by a bum....

Sounds like the perfect place for Brent Coralli to set up his next venture!

Blank77 wrote:Im sure the google maps satellite isn't up to date, but I am having an issue seeing this sat view and the video and figuring out how they are going to eventually match up.

Speaking of the area, it may just be my naïve Plano upbringing, but I always considered that area just West of Stemmons and North of Loop 12 to be where the dead bodies are dumped.


View Larger Map

Please, you folks from the Provinces. They dump them in the Trinity Bottoms or in far south East Dallas.